Situation: In the south-east of Spain, in the region of Murcia, on the Mediterranean sea.

Geographical co-ordinates: 1-20 "West and 37-40"  North.

Area: 318 square kilometres.

Population: About 21.000 inhabitants.

Climate : Mild winters and warm summers.
                Average annual temperature: approximately 18'5
                Sun hours per year: 3.000 approximately.
                Average rainfall per year: 260 litres per square metre.
                Season with most rainfall: autumn (October).

Landscape/Relief:  Mazarron is a dry plain, crossed by low  mountain ranges and a wide dry river bed.
                                Vegetation: esparto, thyme, rosemary, agave  fig trees...,. carrasco pine (reforested).
                                 Fauna: rabbit, have, partridge.

Agriculture: Talking advantage of the gentle climate, the principal source of wealth are vegetables.
                     They are cultivated in the open air and in greenhouses, both sorts being highly  technifield.
                     Tomatoes: Mazarron is one of the most important producers.
                     Secondary crops:  melon, cucumber and  peppers.

               The water for irrigation is extracted from  underground and from the most modern plants for  desalination of sea water.

Fishing: Coastal fishing (sardines, anchovies, shellfish.)

Tourism: Is the second source of wealth.
                  Very few hotels (highest category is 3-star) but in general, clear and well equipped,  and

                  excellent  value for money.
                  Many flats are on offer to next.
                  High season: July, August, September and Easter.

Places to visit: 16th Century castle and churches. (paintings, Mudejar crafted). Watch-out towers against  piracy.
                         19th Century town-hall, old mines, Enchanted town and coves (high-geological interest) 

                         desalination plant and fish  auction.

                          Set itineraries exist.
 

Transport communications:

                               Local buses, as well as connections with the regional cities (Murcia, Cartagena,  Lorca, etc.)
                               Buses direct to Madrid (only in summer)  and with Granada, Malaga and Almeria  (all through the year).

Gastronomy : based on local products, like fish and shellfish on the coast and rabbit, tomatoes and pepper inland.

Leisure activities, culture and free time:
                               Maritime club, regattas, diving, fishing, water-skiing canoeing,  water-scooters?,  windsurfing.

                               Parachuting, climbing, horse-riding, cycling, archery, skating, aerobics, go-karting,  tennis,

                               fronton, bowls, sauna, squash, athletics.

(Festivals) Fiestas:

                               Carnival, St. Joseph, Easter, St. Anthony , the Assumption, local pilgrimage (November), 

                               town festival. (first week in December).

                               Story competition "Cut from the Elm" Segado del Olmo (Information at the Universidad  Popular).

Short history.

Prehistoric: Several mineral deposits until 35,000 BC.

Copper Age: Some mineral deposits. The most famous is the one at  Cueva del Plomo the first with walls.  (can be visited).

7th Cent. B.C.: First Phoenician boat discovered.

3rd Cent. B.C.:   Carthaginous.
                          The Romans exploited the iron and silver mines, unirrigated agriculture,  fishing and fish salting (or curing)
                           Remained until 5th Cent. A.C.

12th Cent A.C.: Arab traces in exploitation of red-ochre mines.

1462 A.C.: Intensive exploitation of the red-ochre and alum mines.
                   Danger of North-African piracy.

1572 A.C.: Felipe II concedes the title of Villa de Almazarron which signifies the segregation of Lorca.
                  During the following centuries the history develops round piracy  (until 18th Cent), unirrigated  crops,

                  fishing and the ups and downs in the exploitation of red-ochre and alum.

19th Cent. A.C.: head-mining, abandoned since Roman tuines, is recommenced.
                      The high-point is reached in 1900. In fifty  years the population has quadrupled,  reaching 23.000 inhabitants.

2Oth Cent A.C.:

                            In the 1950's the extraction of red-ochre and alum and its industry disappears and tourist 

                           development commences.
                           The population is reduced to a little more than 9.000 inhabitants.
                           In the 60´, the rest of the mining industry, (lead, silver, zinc and iron) disappears  and the

                           new intensive, irrigated agriculture emerges.

                           At present, the population reaches 17.000 inhabitants attracted by tourism and agriculture.

CELEBRITIES

Painters: Domingo Valdivieso, Agustín Navarro, Vivancos.
Soldier and Politician: General Gómez Jordana.
 

Interestins contacts local:

     Town Hall:   968 50 01 19
     Turism office: 968 59 44 26
     Centro de Información Juvenil (CIADJ)  968 59 18 92
     Universidad Popular:  968 59 17 66